Exotic Pets Research Articles

Knowledge of pet-related zoonotic diseases and pet care in Hong Kong, a heavily crowded urban setting.

BACKGROUNDWith the rapid expansion of pet animal populations worldwide, pet‐related zoonotic diseases are becoming an important issue in public health. Hong Kong (HK), located in southern China, is one of the most crowded urban centres in the world. The population of pets, especially exotic pets, in HK has grown significantly in recent decades, potentially elevating the risk of pet‐related zoonotic diseases. However, no studies have been conducted to explore the knowledge of HK public towards pet‐related zoonotic diseases and animal husbandry practices.OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the level of awareness among the HK public of pet‐related zoonotic diseases and their understanding of proper animal husbandry practices.METHODSThe study was carried out in HK from June–August 2019 using both online and paper versions of a questionnaire. A total of 362 completed questionnaires (74.3% return rate) were collected and the responses analysed.RESULTSSixty percent of the participants were current or past pet owners or planned on becoming pet owners in the coming 2 years, irrespective of their income or size of their living space. Among the participants, pet owners (including those who planned pet ownership) had a relatively higher level of awareness of pet‐related zoonotic disease. However, the overall awareness of zoonotic diseases among both pet and non‐pet owners was low with a knowledge score of <50%. A similar trend was observed for knowledge about proper animal husbandry practices.CONCLUSIONSThis study showed that the HK public was generally not familiar with pet‐related zoonotic diseases and proper pet care. These knowledge gaps could potentially increase the risk of disease transmission. Further studies focusing on specific pet species and on people of different social‐economic backgrounds are needed to provide future direction of efforts to reduce the risk of pet‐related zoonotic diseases and to enhance pet‐related animal and human welfare.

Septic Arthritis and Granulomatous Osteomyelitis in a Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) Caused by Mycobacterium sp.

A 3-yr-old female bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) was presented to the Exotic Pet and Wildlife Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the National Autonomous University of Mexico with a 3-day history of right hindlimb swelling. Radiographs revealed lysis of the right stifle and tarsal bone. Fine-needle aspiration from the stifle revealed large numbers of macrophages and giant cells, and Ziehl-Neelsen stain revealed intracytoplasmic acid-fast bacilli-like bacteria. Standard aerobic culture was performed, with negative results. Pain management was provided with meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg PO q24h) and tramadol (11 mg/kg PO q12h); the owner declined antimicrobial therapy. Three weeks later, radiographs revealed the progression of the lytic lesions to the distal femur, proximal tibia, and tarsal bones. One month later, the patient presented for left hindlimb swelling. Follow-up radiographs revealed a total loss of the right stifle and the tibiotarsal and tarsometatarsal joints, as well as new lytic lesions at the left stifle and tibiotarsal joints. Based on the grave prognosis, the lizard was euthanized. At necropsy, granuloma-like lesions were found at the stifles and the coxofemoral, tibiotarsal, and tarsometatarsal joints. Imprints made from these lesions revealed acid-fast bacilli. No other gross lesions were identified. Microscopic review of the tissues revealed severe granulomatous osteomyelitis and myositis, as well as a severe histiocytic and heterophilic hepatitis with acid-fast intrahistiocytic bacilli. Polymerase chain reaction results confirmed these bacteria as nontuberculous mycobacteria. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first postmortem report of septic arthritis associated with Mycobacterium spp. in a bearded dragon; only two other cases have been reported, both without postmortem findings.

Pet primates for sale in the United States.

Our research goal was to investigate the primate pet trade in the United States. While dogs and cats are the most common type of pet, there are an estimated 15,000 pet primates in the United States and the demand for exotic pets in general has been rising. Most research on pet primates occurs in habitat countries and little is known about these pets in the United States. We collected data from six exotic pet-trade websites twice a month for 12 months. We recorded the type of primate for sale, sex, age, location, and price. We used Chi-Square Goodness-of-Fit tests to compare whether the number of male and female pet primates for sale and the number of different age categories of pet primates for sale differed from equality and Spearman Correlation to examine associations between price and size and price and supply. We recorded 551 pet primates for sale between June 2019-June 2020, with 69.1% platyrrhines, 21.6% strepsirrhines, and 8.9% catarrhines. Marmosets were sold most often (36.7%, N = 202) followed by lemurs (21.6%, N = 119), capuchins (11.3%, N = 62), and squirrel monkeys (10.5%, N = 58). Almost two-thirds of the pet primates for sale were male (Chi-Square = 16.056, df = 1, P = 0. 00006) and 78.7% were under one year old (Chi-Square = 440.264, df = 2, P<0.00001). The median price was $3,800 though price was highly variable, even for the same taxa. There are several potential drivers for the primate pet trade, including media influence, fashion/status, and profitable breeding though these are not mutually exclusive. Primates do not make good pets and even when captive-bred, pet primates impact the conservation of their wild counterparts. Advertisement campaigns focusing on disease transmission and legal consequences and a federal ban on pet primate ownership are two avenues to pursue to end the ownership of pet primates in the United States.

Live reptile smuggling is predicted by trends in the legal exotic pet trade

AbstractLive animal smuggling presents a suite of conservation and biosecurity concerns, including the introduction of invasive species and diseases. Yet, understanding why certain species are smuggled over others, and predicting which species will be smuggled, remains relatively unexplored. Here, we compared the live reptile species illegally smuggled to Australia (75 species) to the legal trade of live reptile species in the United States. Almost all smuggled species were found in the legal US pet market (74 species), and we observed an average time lag of 5.6 years between a species first appearing in the United States and its subsequent detection in Australia. Using a Bayesian regression model, species popularity in the United States, and internationally, were positively associated with smuggling probability to Australia. Our findings give insight to the drivers of illegal wildlife trade and our predictive modelling approach provides a framework for anticipating future trends in wildlife smuggling.

10Animal Studies

Abstract This overview of animal studies scholarship from 2020 covers a diverse range of sites – from escaped primates in IKEA carparks to boar hunting in colonial India – and disciplinary contexts, drawing together research from philosophy, literary theory, the environmental humanities, animal geographies, imperial history, and ecofeminism. What unites these texts is their engagement with one of the most significant themes in animal studies: the politics of anthropocentrism. The first sections of the essay engage with work that has sought to critique anthropocentric logics and practices. Through focusing on research related to the exotic pet trade, avian extinction, and colonial science, I illustrate how anthropocentric hierarchies are being enacted – but also complicated – but particular socio-economic relationships and knowledge-frameworks. In the second sections of the essay, I engage more explicitly with scholarship that has foregrounded the complex relationships between anthropocentrism, colonialism, gendered inequalities, and racialization. Although this research is wide-ranging, what it shares is an insistence on the need to better situate narratives about the intersection of human and animal oppression, in light of the way these relations are shaped by specific national and cultural contexts. The essay culminates by discussing contemporary critiques of animal studies due to the primacy it has given to anthropocentrism over other oppressive social relations, particularly race. At the same time as arguing that the field needs to meaningfully engage with these critiques moving forward, I conclude by suggesting that there is something important about anthropocentrism that means it retains value as a critical concept for animal studies.

Occurrence of Ophionyssus natricis (Acari: Macronyssidae) on the captive corn snake, Pantherophis guttatus, (Squamata: Colubridae) in Turkey

Exotic snakes may harbour numerous parasites and play an important role in the spreading of parasites. Ophionyssus natricis (Gervais) (Acari: Macronyssidae) has been found in natural conditions on a wide variety of snakes in Africa, but this mite has been distributed by exotic pet trade in various parts of the world. In the present study, O. natricis was reported on the captive corn snake, Pantherophis guttatus (L.) (Squamata: Colubridae), in Turkey, for the first time. Male and protonymph stage of O. natricis were also first time reported in Turkey. In addition, some setal variations in the pygidial shield of protonymphs were documented.

Animal-human two-shot images: Their out-of-context interpretation and the implications for zoo and conservation settings.

Images containing both animals and humans (two-shot images) are popular across social media and zoo advertising. However, these images, even when taken in ethical and conservation settings, have the potential for misinterpretation and may inadvertently promote the illegal wildlife trade, exotic pet trade or photo-prop industries. We examined whether zoo visitors' (n = 531) attitudes and stated Willingness to Donate (WTD) altered depending on whether they viewed a two-shot image set in a photo-prop setting (typically associated with negative welfare) or in a zoo or wild setting. All images, including photo-prop, were generally viewed positively regardless of context. Zoo-based images received a greater number of comments relating to concern for the animal's environment or welfare compared to other images, although numbers were still relatively low. This indicates a lack of awareness about the photo-prop industry and misconceptions about modern welfare practices in zoos, thus reflecting a need for improved education in these areas. Two-shot images in zoo settings elicited significantly higher stated WTD than images in wild or photo-prop settings or when an animal was pictured alone. Suggesting zoo-based images may be more effective for conservation campaigns than traditional images of an animal in its environment. Furthermore, images featuring a uniformed keeper plus an animal do not appear to increasing desire for pet ownership, indicating that they can be used in zoo advertising with minimal negative consequences.

Pathogenic Organisms in Varanidae and Their Potential as Zoonotic Diseases

&lt;p class="00-6Abstrak2Wtz"&gt;Monitor lizards have various body sizes, belong to the Varanidae and it is reported that there were various kinds of pathogenic organisms in their bodies. This review aims to describe various information on pathogenic organisms and their potential as zoonotic diseases and can be used as a reference in the prevention of zoonotic diseases originating from Varanidae. The results of this review discuss two types of viruses, three types of bacteria, five types of protozoa, two types of arthropods, and seven types of endoparasites that are pathogenic in Varanidae. Based on this information it is known that potentially zoonotic pathogens include bacteria group is &lt;em&gt;Salmonella &lt;/em&gt;spp. and &lt;em&gt;Anaplasma phagocytophilum&lt;/em&gt;; groups of protozoa was &lt;em&gt;Giardia &lt;/em&gt;sp&lt;em&gt;p&lt;/em&gt;. and &lt;em&gt;Cryptosporidium &lt;/em&gt;sp.; Arthropod group namely &lt;em&gt;Amblyomma &lt;/em&gt;sp&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt; which carries the bacteria &lt;em&gt;Rickettsia &lt;/em&gt;sp&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Borrelia &lt;/em&gt;spp&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Anaplasma &lt;/em&gt;spp&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt; and the endoparasite group consisting of &lt;em&gt;Ascaris &lt;/em&gt;sp&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Strongyloides &lt;/em&gt;sp&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt;, Pentastomida, and &lt;em&gt;Angiostrongylus cantonensis&lt;/em&gt;, while for the virus group, there were no pathogenic organisms with zoonotic potential. The extensive use of Varanidae by humans as exotic pets, as well as for consumption and medicine has great potential in the transmission of zoonotic diseases. Those are possible because the varanids non-aseptically environment. The proper handling and maintenance of monitor lizards are necessary to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases. Unhygienic and less aseptic way of handling food products of animal origin can lead to the potential for transmission of pathogenic organisms (foodborne disease). Efforts to prevent the transmission of foodborne diseases can apply Good Hygienic Practices (GHP) with the process of cooking reptile meat for consumption. Besides, disease transmission can be prevented by implementing the One Health concept.&lt;/p&gt;

Salmonella Newport outbreak in Brazilian parrots: confiscated birds from the illegal pet trade as possible zoonotic sources.

Salmonella has long been linked to zoonotic risks, including exotic pets. Parrots are popular pets, and we here describe a salmonellosis outbreak involving Blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) confiscated from the illegal pet trade in Brazil. High mortality was observed during the rehabilitation for which the causative agent was identified by cultures, and VITEK®2 GN identification card as Salmonella enterica. Genome sequencing of two isolates revealed serovar Newport ST45. The isolates were resistant to aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones, and genomic analyses detected characteristic Salmonella Pathogenicity Islands (SPIs) and virulence factors. A phylogenetic analysis with other 275 S. Newport ST45 from different international sources showed clustering with poultry and vegetables isolates and closely related clades of intermingled animal, human, food/environmental isolates from different countries (Tables S1 and S2). The virulent profiles and phylogenetic connection to multiple sources bring the attention to the non-host specificity of these strains highlighting the zoonotic potential in the illegal wildlife trade for companion animals.

The International Vertebrate Pet Trade Network and Insights from US Imports of Exotic Pets.

The international trade in exotic vertebrate pets provides key social and economic benefits but also drives associated ecological, ethical, and human health impacts. However, despite its clear importance, we currently lack a full understanding of the structure of the pet trade, hampering efforts to optimize its benefits while mitigating its negative effects. In the present article, we represent and review the structure of the pet trade as a network composed of different market actors (nodes) and trade flows (links). We identify key data gaps in this network that, if filled, would enable network analyses to pinpoint targets for management. As a case study of how data-informed networks can realize this goal, we quantified spatial and temporal patterns in pets imported to the United States. Our framework and case study illustrate how network approaches can help to inform and manage the effects of the growing demand for exotic pets.

Stable isotope analysis as a tool to detect illegal trade in critically endangered cockatoos

AbstractLegal wildlife trade creates opportunities for the sale of illegally procured animals and their derivatives, since it is difficult to differentiate legal from laundered items. This problem is common across many wildlife trade areas – exotic pets, ornaments, seafood – and involves a variety of taxa. Here, we tested the ability of bulk and compound‐specific stable isotope analysis to help monitor and regulate trade of the yellow‐crested cockatoo Cacatua sulphurea, a critically endangered species threatened by overexploitation for the pet trade. Global trade in wild‐caught yellow‐crested cockatoos was banned in 2002; sale of captive‐bred individuals, however, is still permitted. Our surveys in Hong Kong markets revealed more yellow‐crested cockatoos for sale in 2017–2018 than the total number recorded as legally imported over the previous 13 years, emphasizing the need for a forensic tool to identify the source of the individuals for sale in the markets. Stable isotope analysis was successful at distinguishing between captive and wild cockatoos; we found significant differences between wild and captive cockatoos in both stable carbon (P &lt; 0.001) and stable nitrogen (P &lt; 0.001) isotope values. Linear discriminant analysis allocated samples to the correct group with high reliability (Accuracy = 0.91, Kappa = 0.81), although reliability was lower for some individuals with values on the edge of the distribution. In cases where the bulk isotope analysis was ambiguous, compound‐specific stable isotope analysis, which provides carbon isotope values in specific amino acids, can be applied. We found six amino acids that differed significantly between captive and wild samples, with valine (P = 0.009) being the most informative. Together, stable and compound‐specific isotope analysis represents an important potential forensic tool to help combat illegal trade of cockatoos and could be expanded to other species threatened by wildlife trade.

Considerations for humane euthanasia in exotic pet species

Most veterinary professionals in companion animal practice will be familiar with and experienced in performing euthanasia in cats and dogs, but often less so with exotic pet species. This article aims to equip the clinician with an approach to performing humane, compassionate euthanasia in such species, keeping animal welfare paramount.

Exotic pets in Ireland: 1. Prevalence of ownership and access to veterinary services

BackgroundThere has been increasing concern expressed about the welfare of exotic pets worldwide. For the purposes of this article, an exotic pet is considered to be a non-domesticated species, where there are knowledge gaps on good practice (minimum standards of care), veterinary diagnostics and treatments. The categories of exotic pets included in this study were: small mammals (< 20 kg), large mammals (> 20 kg), birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. Dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, mice, rats, and ferrets were excluded from the study. An online survey of pet owning staff at University College Dublin was conducted between July and August 2020 to provide the first empirical data for Ireland. In this pilot study (the first in this thematic series) we aim to characterise exotic pet ownership, the challenges and benefits of keeping exotic pets, and access to veterinary services from the pet owner’s perspective.ResultsUsing an online survey this pilot study gathered evidence from 83 domestic and 32 exotic pet owners within the staff (n = ~ 3600 FTE) at University College Dublin, the largest third level institution in Ireland. The prevalence of exotic pet ownership was determined to be 34.4 % of households with more than 10 % of pet owning households owning only exotic pets. Fish (n = 15), reptiles (n = 13) and birds (n = 8) were the most common types of exotic pets. Thirty-four per cent of exotic pet owners never sought veterinary services, the most common reasons were due to lack of local veterinary specialists (n = 10) and good owner knowledge (n = 8). However identifying appropriate guidance on the animals’ needs was a common challenge for exotic pet owners (n = 13). A reasonable monthly cost of caring for an exotic ranged from €20–180, depending on the species.ConclusionsThis pilot study contains important implications for veterinary education to support the veterinary community with providing services to the exotic pet owning community. Policy issues with exotic pet ownership also need to be considered and further research into the proposed strategies to support the health and welfare of exotic pets should be carried out such as the introduction of white lists and guidelines on responsible pet ownership.

A looming exotic reptile pet trade in India: patterns and knowledge gaps

Commercial trade of exotic reptiles through CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) in India is relatively recent (&lt;2 decades). Social media platforms and web portals are known to be used for pet trade. Exotic pet trade is not legally regulated within India. Therefore, little is known on the scale at which this trade is carried out in India. We conducted a two-year study between 2018 and 2020 gathering information of exotic reptile pet trade online and summarized CITES documentation of the yearly import export records from 1976 to 2018 by CITES secretariat. This manuscript provides a baseline for the extent of the trade, invasive species and the species traded in mainland India. We found that there is an extensive trade of exotic reptiles in the country, comprising 84 species including the highly venomous species such as Bitis gabonica. According to CITES records of 1976–2018, 98.6% of the reptile imports into India have not been reported to the CITES management authorities in India. We also found some evidence of trade in protected native species through the exotic pet trade network. Furthermore, some highly threatened reptile species including many listed in Appendix I of CITES are traded in India.

Effect of Manual Restraint and Visual Security on Heart Rate in Dyeing Poison Dart Frogs (Dendrobates tinctorius azureus) and Leopard Frogs (Lithobates pipiens)

Frogs are popular exotic pets and research subjects. Manual restraint is routinely used for basic procedures in frogs, including examination and sample collection, but there is little information on its physiologic effects in amphibians. Previous literature suggested that amphibians lack emotional responses and, therefore, consciousness, based upon an inability to elicit stress tachycardia with gentle handling. To determine if manual restraint results in a stress tachycardia in frogs, 10 poison dart frogs (Dendrobates tinctorius) and 8 leopard frogs (Lithobates pipiens) were manually restrained and heart rate (HR) recorded at both the pectoral girdle and pelvic patch using a Doppler flow probe. Frogs were randomly placed in one of two (opaque versus translucent) types of plastic containers for 22 min and HR measured every 2 min through the bottom of the container using the frogs' pelvic patch area. Frogs were then removed from the container, manually restrained again, and HR recorded. Heart rate decreased significantly after the frogs were placed in the containers following manual restraint, and increased significantly for the second restraint period. There were no significant differences in measured HR between anatomic sites (pelvic vs. pectoral) or container types. Contrary to previous descriptions, these results demonstrated that, similar to other mammal and reptile species, frogs demonstrated stress tachycardia during manual restraint, and, therefore, clinicians and researchers should be mindful of induced stress when restraining amphibians.

Exotic pets in Ireland: 2. Provision of veterinary services and perspectives of veterinary professionals\u2019 on responsible ownership

BackgroundThere has been increasing concern expressed about the welfare of exotic pets worldwide. For the purposes of this article, an exotic pet is considered to be a non-domesticated species, where there are knowledge gaps on good practice (minimum standards of care), veterinary diagnostics and treatments. The categories of exotic pets included in this study were: small mammals (< 20 kg), large mammals (> 20 kg), birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. Dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, mice, rats, and ferrets were excluded from the study. An online survey of veterinary professionals conducted between July and August 2020 provides the first empirical data for Ireland. In this pilot study (the second in this thematic series) we aim to characterise the provision of veterinary services to exotic pets from the veterinary professionals’ perspective, explore the main concerns of veterinary professionals towards exotic pet ownership, and their recommendations to support responsible exotic pet ownership.ResultsUsing an online survey this pilot study gathered evidence from 63 veterinary professionals currently working in private practice in Ireland. The prevalence of veterinary services for exotic pets in Ireland was determined to be 82% of small and mixed animal clinics of respondents’ practices ranging from 9.1 to 100% for different categories of exotic pets. The most common issues encountered in practice with exotic pets were related to nutrition, environment, and behaviour followed by clinical diseases such as respiratory, infectious, and gastrointestinal issues. The most common concerns veterinary professionals had with exotic pet ownership related to the lack of owner knowledge as well as the lack of veterinary knowledge and accessible resources. The most common strategic initiatives indicated by veterinary professionals included black or white lists (to prohibit and permit the keeping of exotic pet species respectively), licensing for owners and increased availability of CPD for veterinary professionals.ConclusionsMore than four in every five veterinary professionals in small or mixed animal practices surveyed were willing to treat exotic pets and in many cases they already were. A scaffold for best practice is required to support the health and welfare of exotic pets and responsible ownership. Keystones include veterinary education to support veterinary professionals with daily practice, establishing a white list of exotic species that are suitable as pets, registration at the point of purchase to enable traceability for biosecurity purposes and research to identify care standards to support the health and welfare of exotic pets.

Perceptions of animal welfare and exotic pet ownership in China

AbstractChina plays a critical role in global biodiversity conservation, as both a biodiversity hotspot and for its role in international and domestic animal trade. Efforts to promote wildlife conservation have sparked interest in the attitudes held by Chinese citizens towards animals. Using a questionnaire, we sought to investigate the attitudes of 317 Chinese nationals across 22 provincial-level administrative units regarding their uses of animals, their perceived emotional capacities and views on exotic pets. We reduced the variables related to perceived uses of animals via Principal Component Analysis and ran Generalised Linear Models and Structural Equation Modelling to test relationships between questionnaire-derived variables. Perceptions of animals were divided into two Kellert categories — Utilitarian and Humanistic uses — and 97% of participants believed in animals’ capacities to have and express emotions. We found few interactions, with exotic pets, ie playing with or taking photographs, but the acceptability of owning an exotic pet influenced the likelihood of purchasing one. A belief that animals express emotions encouraged people to look for them as pets but thinking that pets make people happy made exotic pet ownership less acceptable. The shift in attitudes to include humanistic perceptions of animals, a belief in animals as emotive beings and understanding of terminology changed from the previous utilitarian views of pre-reform China, suggesting a readiness to embrace further conservation efforts in China. This deeper understanding of Chinese attitudes toward animals and drivers of the exotic pet trade within China may enable conservation efforts to better target future campaigns.

Live wild animal exports to supply the exotic pet trade: A case study from Togo using publicly available social media data

AbstractExotic pet supply is a key, predominantly legal, component of global wildlife trade, but few studies have quantified its diversity or global reach. Here, using information extracted from the public (open) Facebook accounts of two wildlife exporters in Togo, West Africa, we identified at least 200 species, predominantly reptiles, but also mammals, birds, amphibians and invertebrates, advertised as available for sale and export, between the years 2016 and 2020. Of the animals identified, several hundred, possibly several thousand, individuals were shipped, at least monthly, to North America, Europe, Asia, and elsewhere in Africa, via a number of major airlines. Among the vertebrates observed, approximately one‐third had not yet been evaluated on the IUCN Red list, and three quarters were not CITES‐listed (i.e., their trade was not regulated under this international treaty). The apparent lack of adequate monitoring of population status, disease, biological invasion, and animal welfare risks associated with this trade, as well as neglected taxa (e.g., invertebrates), has potential implications for environmental, public, and animal health. The findings of this case study suggest that a systematic review of social media activity could efficiently reveal significant insights into the otherwise undocumented global supply of exotic pets, directing legislators to aspects and areas where regulation is insufficient, and informing international and national policy change.

Is YouTube promoting the exotic pet trade? Analysis of the global public perception of popular YouTube videos featuring threatened exotic animals.

The exploitation of threatened exotic species via social media challenges efforts to regulate the exotic pet trade and consequently threatens species conservation. To investigate how such content is perceived by the global community, mixed model sentiment analysis techniques were employed to explore variations in attitudes expressed through text and emoji usage in public comments associated with 346 popular YouTube® videos starring exotic wild cats or primates in 'free handling' situations. Negative interactions between wild cats and primates with other species were found to be associated with both text and emoji median sentiment reduction, however were still accompanied by a median emoji sentiment above zero. Additionally, although a negative trend in median text sentiment was observed in 2015 for primates, an otherwise consistent positive median text and emoji sentiment score through time across all IUCN Red List categories was revealed in response to both exotic wild cat and primate videos, further implying the societal normalisation and acceptance of exotic pets. These findings highlight the urgency for effective YouTube® policy changes and content management to promote public education and conservation awareness, whilst extinguishing false legitimisation and demand for the exotic pet trade.

A retrospective study (2006-2020) of cytology and biopsy findings in pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) and four-toed hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) seen at an exotic animal clinic in Tokyo, Japan

ABSTRACT Background: Rabbits, ferrets, and four-toed hedgehogs are popular exotic pets, but comprehensive epidemiological studies in these animals have been rarely conducted. The present study aims to clarify the incidence of neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases in pet rabbits, ferrets and four-toed hedgehogs in Japan. Methods: We histologically/cytologically investigated 1098 samples from 883 rabbits, 812 samples from 521 ferrets and 561 samples from 468 four-toed hedgehogs that were collected at Miwa Exotic Animal Hospital and submitted to the Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, The University of Tokyo between 2006 and 2020. The examinations of necropsy samples were not included in the present study. Results: Of the 1098 samples from diseased rabbits, 721 (65.7%) were diagnosed as neoplastic and 377 (34.3%) were as non-neoplastic. Uterine adenocarcinoma (21.1%), cutaneous soft tissue sarcoma (15.1%) and mammary gland adenocarcinoma (8.2%) were the most commonly encountered neoplasms. Endometrial hyperplasia (35.8%), testicular atrophy (4.2%) and uterine adenomyosis (3.7%) were the most common non-neoplastic lesions in rabbits. Of the 812 samples from diseased ferrets, 487 (60.0%) were diagnosed as neoplastic and 325 (40.0%) were as non-neoplastic. Adrenocortical tumor (23.2%), lymphoma (19.3%) and pancreatic islet cell tumor (11.5%) were the most commonly encountered neoplasms. Extramedullary hematopoiesis in the spleen (10.5%), lymph node hyperplasia (7.7%) and cholangiohepatitis (4.6%) were the most common non-neoplastic lesions in ferrets. Of the 561 samples from diseased hedgehogs, 338 (60.2%) were diagnosed as neoplastic and 223 (39.8%) were as non-neoplastic. Endometrial stromal tumor and endometrial mixed tumor (23.7%), oral squamous cell carcinoma (13.0%) and cutaneous soft tissue sarcoma (11.5%) were the most commonly encountered neoplasms. Gingivitis/stomatitis (39.5%), endometrial hyperplasia (18.8%) and dermatitis (6.7%) were the most common non-neoplastic lesions in hedgehogs. Conclusions and clinical relevance: Information obtained from the present study will provide a useful reference for veterinarians working with these exotic animals. Based on the literature search, this is the largest-scale retrospective study on disease incidence in hedgehogs.